#1 Convicted mob boss Carl Williams bashed to death [Update]
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 10:15 pm
Holy shit.News.com.au wrote:GANGLAND killer Carl Williams has died after being attacked and going into cardiac arrest at a high-security prison in Victoria.
Williams' lawyer Rob Stary confirmed the Melbourne underworld figure died at Barwon Prison.
Williams' former partner, Roberta Williams, is reportedly on the way to the prison.
Earlier, an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said paramedics arrived at Barwon Prison about 1.18pm (AEST) to find the man in a critical condition. Williams suffered head injuries in the assault.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed that a Barwon prisoner had died after being assaulted, but would not confirm that it was Williams.
"We can confirm that a prisoner has died as a result of an assault earlier this afternoon."
Underworld figure Mick Gatto said he had heard unconfirmed rumours about Williams having died but said that was all he had heard.
"I would rather let dead dogs lie," he said.
"If you hear any more let me know but I would rather not comment on him."
He said Williams was "certainly not" a friend.
Williams, who was serving a 35-year prison sentence for several murders, was a key player in Melbourne's brutal underworld war that claimed about 30 lives and took police more than a decade to bring under control.
In sentencing Williams, Supreme Court judge Betty King said there were "no other appropriate penalties for crimes of this nature, gangland executions carried out ... in the presence of frightened men, women and children".
Justice King said she was concerned Williams could become a cult hero.
"You are a killer, and a cowardly one who employed others to do the actual killing," the judge said.
Meanwhile, it was revealed today by the Herald Sun that police paid the private school fees for Williams' daughter.
The $8000 payment was made by Victoria Police command for Williams' child to attend a top private school.
A letter written by the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office, and signed by its managing principal solicitor in February, shows police admit they paid for Williams' daughter to attend the school.
The letter refers to "the payment of school fees for (Mr Williams') child in the amount of approximately $8000".
The prestigious school has several campuses, rolling sports fields and a country property for camps.
It boasts about its academic achievement.
The letter also shows that Victoria Police offered to pay a $750,000 debt owed to the tax office by George Williams, as first revealed by the Herald Sun in February.
That offer was withdrawn following legal advice.
The Herald Sun was unable, for legal reasons, to outline why the school fee payment was made.
Roberta Williams was tight-lipped.
"I've got no comment about that, but you have a great night," Ms Williams said.
The State Government and Victoria Police command refused to comment about the school payment.
Opposition crime prevention spokesman Andrew McIntosh said Premier John Brumby and Police Minister Bob Cameron should explain why Victorian taxpayers picked up the bill.
EDIT: updated
